Cranbrook House & Gardens

Very pretty property to stroll through and enjoy the gardens and fountains.
Depending on the time of year the amount of plants and flowers planted/​blooming will vary — so take that into consideration.
When we visited, we had 3 adults and 3 children and paid $ 26. (only children under 5 are free)

Beautiful gardens and fountains throughout the property. Unfortunately, it has not been kept up well, though it is still worth stopping by to see. Be sure to bring cash. They only accept credit cards for amounts over $ 25.

My mom and I went on the Cranbrook house tour together. I’ve been to Cranbrook for the art museum, the science museum, and just wandering around the gardens … very beautiful, any time of year … but this house tour was the bomb!
You need to arrange in advance to take the tour. (See website.)
You’ll see the residence of Cranbrook’s founders, Ellen and George Booth, as well as the Art Deco house of the architect Eliel Saarinen. I think we saw a third house, but my memory is a bit foggy.
Once you see the woven tapestries and rugs made and used by Loja Saarinen, you’ll understand why the weaving program at Cranbrook is so strong. I saw a woven, rug-​like coverlet that was used in the household as a way to stay warm in the winter. The family would sit on a wooden bench, and bring the coverlet up and over their legs. Very cozy, if you ask me!
I remember the cool expanding table, which opens like an iris to increase its size. The globe table. Clever!
This tour provided a very special glimpse into the lives of the people who started the Cranbrook school. Not everybody has a choice about living in such an artistic way, so it’s a treat to see what beauties can be accomplished when art is at the forefront of one’s very existence.
You’ll have to slip off your shoes at each house, and don slippers in order to protect the floors. My mom had a run in her stocking, but I said, «So what?» Not for young, rambunctious kids, but OK for teens.